With beautiful clear, warm waters and stunning scenery, both below and above the water, Gozo is a dream holiday destination, especially for divers. With over 50 dive sites with magnificent caves, tunnels and drop-offs, Gozo is a stunning Mediterranean destination catering to divers of all skill levels. And when you’re not off exploring the underwater world, a variety of authentic villages with amazing restaurants and bars are waiting for you on land.

1. Although located just 5km by sea from its bigger sister, Malta, Gozo is a different destination entirely. Boasting a rural setting where authentic culture is complemented by years of ancient tradition, going to Gozo is like stepping back in time.

2. Gozo and Malta are popular filming locations, gaining notoriety in a number of famous films and TV series. Game of Thrones featured the beautiful Azure Window – an iconic limestone arch that picturesquely framed the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Unfortunately, the arch collapsed in 2017.

3. The Azure Window was just one of many stunning rock formations found around the island of Gozo. A haven for cliff-jumping, these rock formations extend below the water, creating a number of caves and tunnels that make for fantastic shore dives. The Azure Reef, which is the collapsed remains of the Azure Window, can also now be dived, providing a completely new and unique experience for visitors.

The many caves and channels are a picturesque delight, and the amazing rock formations extend underwater

4. Gozo is a place rich in history, home to the world’s second oldest manmade religious structure at Ggantija (that’s older than the pyramids!). 46 churches can also be found on the island, including the grand church of the village of Xewkija, whose dome is the third largest unsupported dome in Europe – surpassed only by the famous domes of St Peter’s and St Paul’s.

5. Gozo has its very own carnival. Not unlike the famous carnivals of Rio and New Orleans, Nadur’s Spontaneous Carnival sees masked and hooded creatures take to the streets of Nadur to delight and entertain. A celebration that takes place every year before Lent, the carnival is unique in that it is not characterised by floats and parades but more so by the elaborate and extravagant costumes that the locals design themselves. Anything goes...!

6. Although just 67 sq km, and home to a population of just over 30,000 inhabitants, Gozo is the second largest of the three inhabited Maltese islands. Due to its small size, Gozo does not have its own airport. Reaching the island requires a 20-minute ferry trip from Malta and means that a holiday combining these two wonderful islands is an absolute must do.

7. Gozo is home to a number of shipwrecks, including historic ship and aviation wrecks. Home to sea life, both big and small, these wrecks are a popular attraction for underwater photography enthusiasts.

The Blue Hole (L) is one of Gozo's most famous dive sites, and there are many wrecks, including aircraft, to dive (R)

8. Gozo has some stunning small luxury hotels if you know where to look. Set in historic buildings with oodles of character, you can look forward to an intimate stay with antique furnishings and delicious cuisine that reflects the chequered heritage.

9. Gozo is one of those destinations where it’s not all about the diving. While it will be hard to tear yourself away from the amazing underwater world, on land Gozo offers many hiking and exploration activities. With beautiful beaches and stunning scenery around the island, this is a fantastic place to visit with your non-diving partner. Gozo honeymoon anyone?

10. Another way to explore Gozo is on a luzzu – a traditional Maltese fishing boat. Painted in bright, vibrant colours and decorated with a pair of eyes on the bow, the Iuzzu have been around for thousands of years. Traditionally used for fishing and transportation, spending an afternoon exploring the bays and coves of Gozo onboard of these wooden boats is an experience quite unlike any other.

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 WRECKS - DIVE's 70-page, beautifully illustrated, colour guide to the world’s best wrecks

SCUBA STORIES - DIVE's collection of real life stories where divers, who have got themselves into perilous situations, describe how they reacted and what actions they took to ensure they lived to tell the tale

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